Extraction apparatus



Dec. 5, 1933. P. A. GOLDFISCH EXTRACTION APPARATUS Filed July 18, 1932 N NA- 6 INVENTOR, 2%115afl60/d/250? ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 5, 1933 PATENT OFFICE EXTRACTION APPARATUS Philip A. Goldfisch, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to Laboratory Construction Company, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application July 18, 1932. Serial No. 623,124

12 Claims.

This invention relates to equipment used in determining the presence of certain elements in a given material and has for a primary object, the provision of extraction apparatus, wherein is embodied especially novel structure whereby a unique method might be carried out to quickly,

accurately, and efiectively determine conclusions, as to the presence of such elements, through. the use of solvents appropriate for the dissolving of said elements. While allusion to fatty materials is made throughout the following specification, it is understood that the invention may be used in testing for any ingredient.

Another object of this invention is the contemplation of extraction apparatus of the abovementioned character having, as an important structural part thereof, means for automatically releasing air from within a closed body at the very beginning of the test, said means being adjustable for actuation at any predetermined pressure and permitting the escape of air or gas from within the closed chamber forming a part of the apparatus.

A-further object of the invention is to provide a two-part, closed, hollow bodyior apparatus of the above-mentioned character, one of which parts is hermetically sealed to the other when the apparatus is in operation and forms a solvent-containing cup of a character which permits quickly removing and inserting samples to be tested.

A still further aim of this invention is the provision of equipment having a relatively movable source of heat which may be adjusted to predetermined positions with respect to the aforementioned closed body, said equipment including a swingably mounted holder for the hereinafter mentioned solvent-containing cup, which is mov-' able to and from the location between the heat- 4 ing means and saidclosed body when the heating means has been moved a suflicient distance from said body for the purpose.

A large number of minor objects are included in the basic concepts of this invention and the same will be made clear during the course of the following specification, referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of. one unit-0f the extracting apparatus embodying this invention.

through said unit, taken on line II- -II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a further enlarged, fragmentary, detailed, sectional view through the upper portion 5 of said unit, taken along line IIIIII of Fig. 2.

.Fig. 2 is an enlarged, vertical, central section Fig. 4 is a cross-section through the same, taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 1, and,

Fig. 5 is a cross-section through the unit, taken on line V-V of Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrow.

It has been found that in the extraction of fatty content from materials being tested that the action is expedited materially if the solvent is applied to the material in the absence of air, or at least when the air pressure is reduced a 5 substantial amount so that volatilization of the fat solvent and its subsequent condensation for introduction to the material being tested is expedited.

To carry out this point of invention it is necessary to employ a closed, hollow body, wherein the material being tested is housed, and from which air of a predetermined pressure is automatically released by suitable structure forming a part of the apparatus.

Under ordinary conditions a laboratory is equipped with a battery of units, such as illustrated in Fig. 1. The units may be interconnected if desired, and all supported by common framework, but since the basic concepts of the instant 30 invention are embodied in the unit illustrated in the accompanying" drawing, it is only necessary to describe the parts clearly shown.

The numeral 6 indicates a standard or well known supporting framework that may have arms 8 carried thereby to su'pportingly engage a closed, hollow body 10 which includes a cylindrical portion 12 that is continued by a separable, solvent-containing cup 14, preferably made of glass, which withstands heat. Portion 12 and cup 14 must be hermetically sealed at their points of juncture and to accomplish this a circumscribing ring 16 is provided which surrounds the joint between 12 and 14. The out turned, annular flanges 18 and 20 of cup and cylindrical portion 14 and 12 respectively have a gasket 22 therebetween, so that upon turning ring 16 its inturned lugs 24 will ride upwardly along the inclined faces 26 of flange 20 for the purpose specified. Any suitable connection at this joint may be utilized without departing from the idea, and it is only required that cup 14 be quickly removable so that speed might be obtained in the manipulationof this apparatus.

The upper part of cylindrical portion 12 is closed by cap 26, which has a- ,tight fitting con- 30 is clearly'shown in Fig. 3 and may consist of a 10 fitting 32, having a longitudinal, central bore 34, wherein is formed a valve seat 36 that receives ball 38. Spring 40 is maintained against ball 38 by an adjustable plug 42 that is in screwthreaded engagement with the upper end of bore 34 formed through fitting 32. The pressure at which valve 30 will release air from within body 10 may be varied by simply adjusting plug 42.

A condenser 44 is provided within body 10 at the upper end thereof and in a manner shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This condenser has a cooling element chamber 46, with which communicates inlet and outlet tubes 48 and 50 respectively, the former terminating adjacent the bottom of chamber 46. A central passage 52 is formed by inner wall 54 of condenser 44 and this passage is in continuation of port 28 and bore 34 so that air passing from within body 10, by way of valve 30, must traverse passage 52. At the lower reduced portion of condenser 44 is provided a series of drip points or lips 56, which are created to collect or condense from any surface of condenser 44 as it travels therealong by gravity.

Below condenser 44 and Within body 10 is disposed an extraction thimble 58, made of fat-free filter paper, or analogous material, so that the sample being tested may be properly supported and housed within body 10. Thimble 58 is, in turn, carried by a thimble holder 60 of glass or other suitable substance, the lower end of which has drip lips 62, from which will drop the solvent after it has been condensed, passed into contact with the sample, passed through thimble 58, and is being returned to the bottom of cup 14. To removably and conveniently support thimble 58 and its holder 60, there is provided a pair of opposed clips 64, between which may be pressed holder 60. Obviously, when cup 14 is not in position these elements 58 and 60 may be quickly removed.

Each unit includes a heater which may be such as that shown, and which includes a heating element such as an electric hot plate or the like 66, and since it is desired to vary the distance between cup 14'and heater 66, the same may be supported by a terminal box or the like 68 that is, in turn, secured to standard 6. A manually controlled detent 70 of the character shown in Fig. 2 may be incorporated in the apparatus for holding heater 66 in the desired position.

At certain points in the test it is desired to remove cup 14 and to eliminate all traces of the solvent from the fat which has been carried to the bottom of cup 14. Providing for this requirement, there is included a holder '72 that is hingedly or otherwise swingably mounted, as at 74, upon standard 6 so that when heater 66 is moved to the position shown in dotted lines of Fig. 2, holder 72 may be swung down over heater 66 where it will receive cup 14 after it has been disassociated from the other parts forming body 10.

In disposing the parts just described in the relation mentioned, it is possible to perform a test quickly and efiiciently without employing any other equipment than that herein disclosed. As before mentioned, additional units may be added and the same joined together by an arm '76 which, like 3, 1s afiixed to cap 26 by suitable set screws 78.

The apparatus just described may be used to handle extractions in accordance with the method contemplated by this invention. It is obvious that after the sample has been placed within thimble 58, ether or other fat solvent placed in the bottom of cup 14 and cup 14 filled to part 12, volatilization of the ether will take place immediately upon application of heat by member 66 and a high pressure will be created within body lfl that will be relieved by escapement through valve 30 so that the predetermined pressure desired within body 10 is attained and the test conducted practically in the absence of air.

After the volatilized ether contacts the walls of conden 44, condensate is formed and collected at lips 56. From this point the ether or other solvent drops directly within thimble 58 and upon the sample. Fat is dissolved from the sample and carried from thimble 58 by way of lips 62 to bottom of cup 14. The relative position of the parts just mentioned is such that their location upon the longitudinal center line of body 10 will create and cause the action specified. Manifestly, a suitable cooling medium is constantly sent through pipes 48 and 50 when a test is being carried on.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In apparatus for the extraction of fatty content from materials through the use of a solvent, a closed hollow body; a port formed through the body wall; a valve within the port for automatically releasing air of predetermined pressure from within the body and a condenser within the body forming a passage to said port.

2. In apparatus for the extraction of fatty content from materials through the use of a solvent, a closed hollow body; a port formed through the body wall; a normally closed valve within the port having means operable by pressure of air within the body to open the port when said air pressure attains a predetermined point; a condenser within the body forming a passage to said port; and an extraction thimble below said condenser.

3. In extraction apparatus of the character described, a closed hollow body; a solvent-containing cup forming a part of said hollow body; means separably associating the said cup and remaining part of said body; and an extraction thimble carried within the body and projecting into said cup.

4. In extraction apparatus of the character described, a closed hollow body having an annular flange; a solvent-containing cup having an annular flange and forming a part of said hollow body; and means separably associating the said cup and remaining part of said body, said means including a channeled ring circumscribing said body and engaging said flanges, one of said flanges having inclined faces engaging the ring whereby upon turning the latter said flanged body portion and cup will be drawn together. I

5. In apparatus for the extraction of fatty content from materials throughthe use of a solvent, a closed hollow body; a solvent-containing cup forming a part of said hollow body and separable therefrom; a release valve for permitting the escape of air of predetermined pressure from within said body; a condenser within the body and forming a passage to said release valve where- 'by to condense moisture from the air as it apextending longitudinally of said body from said release valve to carry air to the latter whereby condensation of escaping air occurs.

7. In apparatus for the extraction of fatty content from materials through the use of a solvent,

a closed, hollow, two-part body; a normally closed valve permitting escape of air of predetermined pressure from the body; a condenser within the body; an extraction thimble below said condenser to receive condensate therefrom; and a holder for said thimble having drip-lips formed at the bottom thereof.

8. In apparatus for the extraction of fatty content from materials through the use of a solvent, a closed, hollow, two-part body; a normally closed valve permitting escape of air of predetermined pressure from the body; a condenser within the body; an extraction thimble below said condenser to receive condensate therefrom; a holder for said thimble having drip-lips formed at the bottom thereof; and a clip releasably retaining said holder in position within the hollow body.

9. In apparatus for the extraction of fatty content from materials through the use of a solvent, a closed, hollow, two-part body a normally closed valve permitting escape of air of predetermined pressure from the body; a condenser within the body; an extraction thimble below said condenser to receive condensate therefrom; a holder for said thimble having drip-lips formed at the bottom thereof; and a clip releasably retaining said holder in position with the hollow body, the parts of said body being separable and hermetically sealed together when associated, one of said parts being a solvent-containing cup and housing the lower drip-lip forming portion of said thimble holder.

.10. In extraction apparatus of the character described, a two-part, closed, hollow body; a solventcontaining cup forming one of saidparts and disposedat the lower end of said body; an automatic release valve at the upper end of said body to permit the escape of air of predetermined pressure from within the body; a condenser within the body adjacent the valve; a central passage formed by the condenser and extending from the valve; an extraction thimble below the condenser; a holder for said thimble; drip-lips formed on said condenser and thimble holder respectively, said valve, central condenser passage, and thimble holder being on the central longitudinal center line of the said hollow body whereby condensate and filtered material may enter thimble and solvent-containing cup respectively.

11. In extraction apparatus of the character described, a closed body; a heater therebeneath and movable toward and from said body; and a hingedly mounted holder adjacent both body and heater, movable therebetween when said heater is in the lowered position.

12. In extraction apparatus of the character described, a closed body; a heater therebeneath and movable toward and from said body; and a hingedly mounted holder adjacent both body and heater, movable therebetween when said heater is in the lowered position, said body having a removable solvent cup and said holder being formed to receive said cup when the cup is removed from said body, and when said holder is swung between said heater and body.

PHILIP A. GOLDFISCH. 

